Published: November 18, 2008 10:39 pm            

11-19 Good reads

‘IN A PEOPLE HOUSE’

BY DR. SEUSS writing as Theo. LeSieg

Chaos ensues when a spunky mouse invites a passing bird to see what’s inside a People House. Beginning readers learn the names of 65 common household items — and that people are generally not pleased to find mice and birds in their houses. “In a People House” is a simple, delightfully silly introduction to objects around the home.

‘THE TAPESTRY: THE HOUND OF ROWAN’

BY HENRY H. NEFF

Max McDaniels lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Chicago, until the day he stumbles upon a mysterious Celtic tapestry. Many strange people are interested in Max and his tapestry. His discovery leads him to Rowan Academy, a secret school where great things await him.

But dark things are waiting, too. When Max learns that priceless artworks and gifted children are disappearing, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ancient struggle between good and evil. To survive, he’ll have to rely on a network of agents and mystics, the genius of his roommate, and the frightening power awakening within him.

‘YOUNG PELE´: SOCCER’S FIRST STAR’

BY LESA CLINE-RANSOME

While other kids memorized letters, Edson memorized scores of soccer matches. While others practiced addition, Edson practiced kicking an imaginary ball. And in Edson’s backyard, rags tied with string transformed into a ball and the “September 7” team — as Edson and his friends called themselves — kicked up clouds of dust.

Then when the mayor of Baru, Brazil announced a youth soccer tournament for teams with shoes, the “September 7” team found old sneakers and a new team name,“Ameriquihina.” They drilled — left foot, right foot — until the big game. By the time the whistle blew, Pele’ (as Edson becomes known) is focused only on one thing: the goal. “He drives to the right...and...SCORES!”

There are over 18 million soccer fans in this country alone (the majority of which are kids), making Pele´’s childhood story and ideal choice for young, rising soccer stars everywhere.

“Young Pelé’: Soccer’s First Star” is a picture book that proves hard work, determination, and passion can make any dream achievable.

‘PUNK FARM ON TOUR’

BY JARRETT J. KROSOCZKA

Farmer Joe is heading off to a Tractor Society Conference in Reno, while back at the farm, Cow, Sheep, Pig, Goat and Chicken are getting ready to rock across the U.S.A. As they set out on a Punk Farm tour, their beat-up old tour van is threatening to ruin their plans. Can the wheels on the van go round and round all the way from Maine to Colorado?

‘GRAN, YOU’VE GOT MAIL!”

BY JO HOESTLANDT

It’s been a while since young Annabelle has written her great-grandmother a letter, so when she receives a new computer from her parents, her father suggests that she practice her typing by composing letters to her ninety-year-old great-grandmother, whom she affectionately refers to as “Gran.”

Of course, Gran is definitely not online, so Annabelle prints and mails her letters off.

Much to Gran’s delight, Annabelle begins writing letters on a regular basis. Annabelle is diligent about writing to Gran, but at first Gran is slightly delayed in responding to Annabelle.

Soon, however, Gran is regularly corresponding as well, and letter by letter readers witness the two become not only friends but confidantes.

Jo Hoestlandt’s novel, told entirely through the letters between a young girl and her great-grandmother, depicts emotions and bonds that transcend even a great gap in age.

‘ONE TRICK PONY’

BY DANIELLA BRODSKY

Little did Jesse, Abigail, Randall, and Kate know that their lives would change when a mysterious young Frenchwoman named Caroline Deneuve reopened the doors of their favorite Brooklyn coffee house.

Since the One Trick Pony closed due to declining business, the four friends are more adrift than ever: Jesse the player is always dealing with girl problems, Abigail the poet, is scared that she won’t recover from her mother’s death, Randall the musician can’t find the courage to tell Abigail he loves her and Kate the Know-it-all, has everything figured out, or so she thinks.

One Trick Pony’s delicious coffee becomes all the rage in the neighborhood, and soon regulars Jesse, Abigail, Randall, and Kate are drinking a lot if it…and acting highly irregular.

Does it have something to do with the coffee? No one is sure. But one thing is certain: their lives will never be the same.

‘SUSANNA SEES STARS’

BY MARY HOGAN

Susanna’s eyes are full of stars as she begins her first day as intern to the editor-in-chief of the hottest celebrity magazine in New York.

But her dreams of private interviews with the stars and dressing for Page Six quickly crumble around her as she realizes she has been hired to fetch coffee and continuously reassure her boss that her pores look small.

But Susanna has never been one to give up, and she is determined to get the scoop of the summer. But is she out of her league?

‘BONECHILLER’

BY GRAHAM McNAMEE

Welcome to Harvest Cove, a small town tucked into the vast expanse of Canada’s Big Empty, which may actually be in the middle of nowhere. Danny and his dad are on the move again, and when they wind up here, it’s not half bad for a summertime getaway.

But the winter couldn’t be more different. On one particularly frigid night as he is walking home, Danny senses he is being followed. When he catches a glimpse of something paler and bigger than any creature he’s ever seen before, he knows he has to run for his life.

After hearing about far too many kids who have been disappearing from Harvest Cove in past winters, Danny knows this is no coincidence.

The beast hunted those kids. And now it’s hunting Danny.

‘DINOSAURS’

BY DR. THOMAS R. HOLTZ

“Dinosaurs” is the extensive guide to dinosaur science for the non-scientist. Dr. Thomas R. Holtz, a professional paleontologist, has created a reference book on this popular subject specifically for young readers.

In it, he examines what we know and don’t know at this date about dinosaurs and the world they lived in, and discusses how paleontologists ask and answer questions about them.

In “Dinosaurs” young readers will discover:

• Brief and easy-to-understand entries about the entire Dinosauria — all 800 “known” species of Mesozoic dinosaurs.

• Chapters on topics about all things dino, including the history of dinosaur discoveries, the naming of dinosaurs, the science of dinosaur art, dinosaur biology, behavior and more.

• That the book is organized by group (not by alphabetized name as many dinosaur books are) to show the evolution of dinosaurs on a family tree.

• Contributions by 33 of the world’s leading paleontologists, which offer varied professional perspectives for readers to think about and discuss.

NOTE: E-mail dpeery@edmondsun.com to have your name entered into a drawing for the following titles: “Gran, You’ve Got Mail!” and/or “One Trick Pony.” Deadline is 10 a.m. Nov. 24. Winner will be notified by return e-mail. Winner is responsible for picking up the book at The Edmond Sun office.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.